psalm 7

psalm 7

when life seemed unredeemable

not merely broken, shattered

when the pieces could not fit back together

no glue or tape could mend

when You looked upon our depravation

You chose the only tools of restoration

when You boldly took the nails that saved us all

and blood flowed free

and grace flowed free

at Your cross I fall 

claimed and surrendered

where love flows free eternally

reflected cross

it was a perfect morning

to walk and wander

the nature reserve

heat from the sun 

drifting in a subtle breeze

resting in a bird blind

we savoured songs

sensing nearness

even as they remained hidden

I watched, still 

silent, to see

not wings, but a cross

reflected from random twigs

when eyes are wide

and spirits open

the cross is everywhere

For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly

 to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, 

but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God. 

I Corinthians 1:18 Amplified

 

no comparison

Jesus carried the instrument 

of His own destruction

weary beneath the weight

already bloody, beaten

willing to be willing

to bend to the will

of His Father

our Father

and I am asked

to carry my cross

yet what weight

is there that He did not

already bear

only what I allow

when I refuse to live 

in Him

through Him

for Him

so I pray

to be willing

to be willing

to bend to His will

it is surrender then 

that is my cross

weighing nothing

and everything

the only cost

my life entire

and even then

I can't compare

the price

to the gift

freely given

already received

it is thanksgiving then

that is my cross

may I carry it

with praise

jamming with Bonnie

 

giving no power to darkness

I had more than four decades behind me

before I came to faith, forty-three years

of directing my own story

comedy, tragedy, horror film

I laughed at the idea of sin, hell

didn't worry me, I joked

at least there I would finally be

warm

my dive into Jesus was fast

hard and deep

total submersion, much like baptism

even before I took that step 

of public declaration

acknowledgement of my filth

and forgiveness of the same

walked hand in hand

the exchange of my wretchedness

for His righteousness

a transaction solid and complete

abundant grace

that still brings me to tears

not because of who I was, or am

or will be, but only because

of Who He Is

nothing I can do to make myself better

but surrender to what He has

already done

so I need not think long about sin

I need not give too much power 

to the darkness, no

I won't deny His sacrifice

I instead choose freedom

choose light, choose life

But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-24 The Message

joining Diana who asks What’s with all this talk about 'sin?'

 

find the cross

the sparkle, the lights

the house warmed

by scents of fir, cinnamon

ready to calm a restless heart

shake snow off boots

shed layers of protection

take time to settle

look close

behind the tree

and find the cross

 

surrender to the breaking

I have, we have

all been broken by the world

shards scrape and cut

we bleed

bitter

but to be broken

by His hand

there is sweetness

in that pain

do not run from it

run to it

heart open in surrender

Day 24 of 31 Days of Surrender

 

Even the sun

Even the sun itself will bow

for no power on earth, or hell below

will stand in the presence of The Christ.

Victorious on the those sticks of wood

His blood was shed

and yet remains

ever a reminder of His great love.

But don't look for Him there.

The cross is empty, the tomb vacant.

All He claimed to be, proven.

Risen. Alive. Glorified.

When troubles come

and come they will

look to the empty cross.

You can hear me recite this poem below:

in the stillness with Sandy

in the secret place with Cheryl

 

and singing in the Sunday choir with Deidra

 

Eyes fixed

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.   Hebrews 12:2 The Message

 

Joining Diedra and the whispering worshippers this morning....

At the Cross on Saturday

I know a place, a wonderful place

Where accused and condemned

Find mercy and grace

Where the wrongs we have done

And the wrongs done to us

Were nailed there with Him

There at the cross

At the cross,

At the cross

He died for our sin

At the cross,

At the cross

He gave us life again
Randy and Terry Butler/Vineyard Music

Keep your eyes on Jesus,
who both began and finished this race we're in.
Study how he did it.
Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—
that exhilarating finish in and with God—
he could put up with anything along the way:
Cross, shame, whatever.
And now he's there, in the place of honor,
right alongside God. 
Hebrews 12:2 The Message

Taking a moment today for stillness with Sandy

 

Ages away?

The prompt for this session of Three from Here and There was:

Hinting at precious things, ages away

I will remain silent and let the photo speak....

Visit Kelly, Claire and Sarah to see what they and others have shared

Choose freedom

Image via Wikipedia

This morning as I was meditating on what to write about freedom I came upon an old notebook that I used to carry in my bible case.  In December 2001 I wrote:

You can never be completely free until you become a slave to the cross of Christ.

A few pages later, in notes from a conference in 2003 I found a word I sensed the Lord asking me to share:

Bring them to Me.  Bring the sheep to Me.  Show them the gate.  They cannot be free until they come in.  Show them the gate.  They think there is freedom in running wild - but out there they are captive - they can only be free in Me.

So here is my warrior poem prompted by the word freedom:

What is this place
I've found?
The domain
of a humble King
where chains
are built from love
where the path
out of captivity
leads me
to a  bondage
that grows
deeper, sweeter.

As I choose again
to surrender
my right
to be free
what explodes
within is true
freedom in Him.

Join Jason and the other warriors at Connecting to Impact where we're writing about freedom

Snaps of joy

This week Bonnie asked us to share a photo journey of joy.  There is so much.  Yes, everything that surrounds me.  For are we not exhorted:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NLT

So for the road He sets before me

and the one He chose to walk beside me

for the generations that will follow
there is joy!

For expressions of His unconditional love

the softness of His touch

His glory both fragile

and majestic
I give thanks and rejoice.

For time to meditate on Who He Is

in scenes of silent beauty

that lead me back to all that is important
I rejoice.  Joy, indeed.  Unspeakable joy!




Jamming with Bonnie today - come join us HERE

Imperfect by design

The skies can not decide on sun or clouds. My body tries to choose health over infirmity and wanting air, I step out into a breeze warmer than I expected. I hear the noise of birds just arrived, filling the trees around the yard, but my presence keeps them hidden.

There is new life hidden in ground also.  And life hidden in every heart.

This is the night our Savior struggled in the garden, wanting to chart new course, choose a different road, but always coming back to "Not my will, but Yours be done."

In that surrender, that choice to die, seeds of life scattered, planted for all, planted for one.

Make me fertile ground, Lord God, unworthy of Your sacrifice, but willing...

for more words by those imperfect but blessed stop by Emily's

Look to the empty cross

Even the sun itself will bow
for no power on earth, or hell below
will stand in the presence of The Christ.
Victorious on the those sticks of wood
His blood was shed
and yet remains
ever a reminder of His great love.
But don't look for Him there.
The cross is empty, the tomb vacant.
All He claimed to be, proven.
Risen. Alive. Glorified.
When troubles come
and come they will
look to the empty cross.

for more Wednesday One Shots come to One Stop Poetry

Break, breaking, broken

After a night of little sleep I looked forward to my time alone with Jesus, sitting at His feet, hungry for what words He wished to share.  Journal in hand, I waited:

Do not weep for the crumbling.  Things that I allow to fall apart will either be rebuilt by My hand or were never meant to be.

Can you hold on to Me while letting go of all else?

The bitterness you taste of the ways of man is the vinegar that was brought to my lips on the cross.

Yes, I forgave, and forgive again, but what they built could not stand, and yes, even now, things built by man's hand alone will meet decay.

Hold fast then to what is good.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 NKJV

Come on over to Emily's to read what others have shared with broken and imperfect hearts.